PROSPECTS FOR N.Z. DANCERS

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27679, 8 June 1955, Page 2

PROSPECTS FOR N.Z. DANCERS

VISITING EXAMINER’S VIEWS

“If a dancer is good enough to gain an overseas scholarship, he or she stands the same chance of getting to the top as his counterpart in Britain,’’ said Miss Adaline Calder, of Edinburgh, in Christchurch yesterday, when she was asked what opportunities were there in Britain for outstanding darreing pupils from New Zealand. “Competition is open, and success is solely dependent on the standard of their work,” she added.

Miss Calder has just arrived in New Zealand to conduct examinations on behalf of the British Ballet Organisation, London. She said she had not had the opportunity of assessing the standard of dancing in this .country.

“I have met many New Zealand teachers and students at the annual concourse held by the British Ballet Organisation in London, and I think Rowena Jackson, who was invited to dance at the last gathering, is a really lovely dancer,” said Miss Calder.

While in New Zealand Miss Calder will also examine pupils in tap dancing, acrobatic, stage, Highland, and dramatic dance action.

Miss Calder is the London represent - I tative for national dancing on the Scottish Board of Highland Dancing, ’ Edinburgh, an organisation which is ; trying to stabilise the standard of Highland dancing and combat varia- • tions and exaggerations. She is a member of the board’s technical and editorial committees, and also helped io make dance films which have created considerable interest in Canada, the United States, South Africa, and Australia. These films were, shown in New Zealand last year. “I come from a family of dancing teachers in Edinburgh, and made my first stage appearance at the age of 23 months in a show presented by mv mother.” Miss Calder said. “My mother and three aunts, my grandfather and two grandaunts were among those of the family who followed the tradition. One of my .grandaunts, now aged 83, still teaches music and' dancing, and stubbornly refuses to give up.”Miss Calder has her own school of dancing in Edinburgh. She was a pupil of the late Edouard Espinosa, who evolved the first syllabus for teachers of ballet in’ London. She leels that dancing contributes a great deal toward keeping children in good health, as well as teaching them correct deportment and ability to mix with other children. Many children from Edinburgh hospitals, including poliomyelitis victims, have been sent to Miss Calder’s school as part of their treatment, to strengthen their muscles. Yesterday morning Miss Calder was the guest of honour at a morning tea party given by the Christchurch committee of the British Ballet Organisation. The hostess was Mrs Mavis Perfect, South Island organiser. DICKENS FELLOWSHIP Mrs J. Allott (vice-president) presided over a large attendance at a meeting of the Dickens Fellowship. The programme, arranged by Mr B. Hayman, began with seven thumbnail sketches of prominent characters in the “Old Curiosity Shop.” Those taking part were Miss Taylor (Dick Swiveller). Mrs McDonald (the Marchioness), Mr Railton (Quilp), Miss Clague (Kip), Mrs Dailey (Tom Scott), Mrs Allott (the Schoolmaster), and Mr Cordery (Samson Brass). “That the ‘Old Curiosity Shop’ is one of the most successful of Dickens’s novels and greatly enhanced his reputation,” was debated by Mr Wilson, Mrs Morris (affirmative) and Mr Wilson and Miss Clague (negative). The affirmative, by popular vote, was declared the winner. The programme ended with an adaptation of “Ask Me Another,” the questions being taken from the first 30 chapters of “The Old Curiosity Shop.” Mr Hayrtian was question master and the panel comprised Mrs McDonald, Mrs Allott, Miss Wilson and Miss Moreland.

ENGAGEMENTS (Engagement Notices must be signed by both parties.) The engagement is announced of Marion Brenda, youngest daughter of Mrs and the late Mr D. Lay, Ashburton, to Kenneth James, elder son of Mrs and the late Mr J. N. Street, Rakaia. The engagement is announced of Leila Margaret, only daughter of Mr and Mrs L. Kerr, Coldstream, Rangiora, to Bruce, third son of Mr and Mrs F. Reeves, 32 Oxford street, Ashburton. The engagement is announced between Brenda, eldest daughter of Dr. and Mrs B. G. Staniland, of Newcastle-on-Tyne. England, and John Royal Keith, only son of the late Mr Jack Delamain and Mrs Delamain, Kowhitirangi, Westland (late of Canterbury).

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